Will WiMax score over 3G mobile service?
The roll out of 3G is expected to shower in high speed data and advanced digital video streaming
Many operators have already commissioned and some are doing field trials of WiMax services
Any mobile user will be thrilled with joy if he gets real cinema clippings of the song in the mobile screen instead of ring back tone, or the actual cricket match itself displayed when dialled for commentary.
The roll out of 3G, third generation cellular mobile service, by the mobile network operators in early 2009 is expected to shower in such value added services with lot of scope for high speed data and advanced digital video streaming.
Paradigm shift to a new mobile environment facilitating Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) is most welcome by the consumers from the corporate houses and industry people in general, as the dream of any mobile customer ‘to get connected any time any where’ is materializing.
As the the allocation of spectrum for 3G operations has been sorted out, the existing players and new entrants in the field are very enthusiastic on the prospects of a new wireless environment.
Operations by mobile operators with an enhanced band width will now allow enriched services like real-time video casting of events like parties, functions or places of visit over mobile. This will also improve the scope of DVBH-Digital Video Broadcasting on Handheld, by public broadcasters. The Indian growth phenomenon of mobile network is different from the global scenario.
Out of 9 million new mobile users added every month at least 80 per cent are getting it purely for the voice calls and monthly free SMS.
Despite all ifs and buts, the positive thinking is that while customers are going to enjoy high end, high quality entertainment linked services of different varieties on their mobile, service providers are expecting to fill their kitty with many more plans for the new tariff regime.
More applications
Analysts say that the real competitor to 3G is none other than another emerging technology called WiMax (World wide Operability of Microwave Access). WiMax is a standard based (IEEE 802.16e) technology providing high speed data and voice services by networks covering long distances and wide ranges.
WiMax can be used for a number of applications including last mile Broadband services, hotspots, mobile, fixed mobile, cellular backhaul and high speed enterprise connectivity.
Wide reach
WiMax is designed to provide E1 level bandwidth to business and equivalent of Cable and DSL access for home users.
This will provide carrier-class solutions to support thousands of users not only in urban areas but also in rural unreached pockets by deploying a single base station for a radial distance of 35-40 kilometres.
This is going to take over areas which are poorly connected by wired infrastructure.
Many operators have already commissioned and some are doing field trials of WiMax services in different cities in India.
Industry majors like Alcatel, Micrsoft, Intel have supplied technical knowhow and implementation strategy to many Indian Players. Tata, Bharti, Reliance and BSNL have started WiMax network operations in select cities. WiMax has been identified as the only technology to extend the broadband services to rural areas.
Significant factor
The significant factor contributing for WiMax viability is the spectral efficiency as the technology is standardised to have a long distance coverage with a single BTS.
It is reported that the implementation cost is about one tenth only in the case of WiMax as compared to 3G.
While only the mobile users are targeted in the 3G with differentiated services, different types of communication are possible (BWA, Mobile, Fixed, E1) through WiMax. Global roaming comes as default in WiMax mobile as system design.
A. GANESAN
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, BSNL (RETD)
aruganesan@hotmail.com
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